Evening Standard
·22 August 2024
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·22 August 2024
Blues win first leg of play-off tie at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea laboured to an unconvincing 2-0 win over Servette in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League play-off at Stamford Bridge, second-half goals from Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke sufficient to give Enzo Maresca's side the lead in the tie.
It was the Italian head coach's second game in charge but already signs of discontent were heard from home supporters, who booed the team off at the end of a first half in which they failed to muster a serious attacking threat against the side currently fifth in the Swiss league table.
It took Nkunku's 50th-minute penalty, won thanks to the game's first genuinely incisive pass played by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, to finally break down Servette, who had coped defensively with relative ease until that point and might have taken the lead through winger Dereck Kutesa.
Madueke came off the bench to score Chelsea's second and hand them a healthy lead ahead of the return leg in Geneva next Thursday.
Live updates
2 minutes ago
We’ll be back next week for the second leg as Chelsea travel to Switzerland with a two-goal aggregate lead.
REUTERS
9 minutes ago
A win is a win and, after a difficult week, that is exactly what Chelsea and Enzo Maresca needed against Servette.
It was hardly a vintage performance and not one that will live long in memory, but the Italian is officially up and running at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea got the job done after a lacklustre first-half, which finished 0-0 and with a smattering of boos from some of the home fans.
In the second-half, they clicked into gear and a Christopher Nkunku penalty and a goal from Noni Madueke were enough to secure a 2-0 win in the first leg of this UEFA Conference League play-off tie.
19 minutes ago
Big wins for Cercle Brugge, Gent, The New Saints and Lincoln Red Imps while St. Patrick’s Athletic grab a very decent draw. Fiorentina also held in their own backyard.
22 minutes ago
Pedro Neto 7
One of the better players during a lacklustre first-half. Beat his opposite man a few times and could keep his place on Sunday, when Chelsea return to his old club Wolves.
Mykhailo Mudryk 5
An infuriating player to watch. Capable of some brilliant moments of skill, but so often the final ball is lacking.
Marc Guiu 5
Looked good in the first-half and linked the play nicely, but missed an absolute sitter after the break when the goal was gaping.
Chelsea FC via Getty Images
28 minutes ago
A combination of subs as Enzo Fernandez lays on the assist.
34 minutes ago
Not quite there yet, but Chelsea fans can start to think about the draw for the group stage.
That’s in the diary for next Friday but has a new format and plenty to get familiar with...
39 minutes ago
Job done for Chelsea - just about! Filip Jorgensen is forced into another save in stoppage time.
They take a two-goal lead to Switzerland for next week’s second leg, which kicks off at 7.30pm BST on Thursday, August 29.
If they get through that trip unscathed, they’re in the Conference League group stage.
Zac Goodwin/PA Wire
43 minutes ago
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall booked as Servette continue their search for a goal back in the tie.
Poor free-kick, cleared.
45 minutes ago
Six added minutes.
Another Servette corner beats every defender and it’s flicked over by an attacker!
Getty Images
49 minutes ago
Tiemoko Ouattara straight off the bench and a deflected effort cracks the woodwork!
Servette then see a header from the corner flash wide, he was unmarked.